You got it ... Now use it

Edit your pix

Your new camera might not turn you into Ansel Adams overnight, but you can make your fast-growing collection of digital pictures look better with software that might already be on your computer.

Using your computer's photo-editing software -- many new Macs come loaded with Adobe Photoshop Elements, and many new PCs come with Corel PaintShop Studio -- you can improve your photos.

But unless you can pull a computer-savvy neighbor kid away from his new Xbox, you might need some professional help navigating the digital photo world.

An hour or two at a workshop on digital photo editing will prevent the long frustrating stretches of trial-and-error that most of us go through with new technology.

Finding someone to talk you through photo-editing software is priceless, but hard. Real-world workshops for beginners aren't as plentiful as online workshops (search for "image editing tutorial" and "Photoshop Elements help" and the like), but there are regular tutorials at Apple's Michigan Avenue location.

You don't need to register, and you don't need to take a computer or camera with you. For one hour, sit in the store's 48-seat theater with a handful of other eager newbies while an Apple employee answers your questions -- there are no stupid ones, so raise your hand -- and demonstrates Adobe Photoshop Elements on a large screen.

Here are a few things we picked up at the Apple class.

CROP 'EM: What story is the photo trying to tell? The "Mom has a great smile" photo is cropped to show Mom; the "Mom is having a great time in front of the Grand Canyon" photo should include Mom and the canyon to give the viewer a sense of how big the natural wonder is.

LEVEL PLAYING FIELD: Adjusting color is the most important thing you can do in a photo. In PhotoShop Elements, click on Image, then Adjustments, then Levels. Click on the rightmost eyedropper, then click on the whitest white part of your image. Click on the leftmost eyedropper, then click on the blackest black part of your image. Click OK, and the program automatically adjusts levels.

Apple: If you live near an Apple retail store, Photoshop Elements workshops are offered free. If you can't make it to one of the workshops, go to one of the Studio desks and ask any questions you might have. Go to apple.com/retail for info about stores in Chicago, Northbrook, Oak Brook, Schaumburg and Skokie.

Studio D: In Naperville, stop by Studio D and take your photos on a disk to the $40 class on photo editing basics. You'll get hands-on training with PhotoShop Elements. The next class is Tuesday 10-11:30 a.m., 103 S. Washington Blvd., 630-369-1167 or studiodnaperville.com.